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ratchets - 2 dictionary results
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ratch⋅et
[rach-it] 
–noun
| 1. | a toothed bar with which a pawl engages. |
| 2. | (not in technical use) a pawl or the like used with a ratchet or ratchet wheel. |
| 3. | a mechanism consisting of such a bar or wheel with the pawl. |
| 4. | ratchet wheel. |
| 5. | a steady progression up or down: the upward ratchet of oil prices. |
–verb (used with object), verb (used without object)
| 6. | to move by degrees (often fol. by up or down): to ratchet prices up; Interest rates have been ratcheting downward. |
Origin:
1650–60; alter. of F rochet; MF rocquet a blunt lance-head < Gmc
1650–60; alter. of F rochet; MF rocquet a blunt lance-head < Gmc
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source
|
Link To ratchets
| ratch·et (rāch'ĭt) n.
v. tr. To cause to increase or decrease by increments: "Some companies . . . may make things worse if they seek to ratchet down their medical expenses by limiting benefits for psychological or psychiatric care" (Newsweek). v. intr. To increase or decrease by increments. [French rochet, from Old French rocquet, head of a lance (from the shape of the teeth), of Germanic origin.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2009, Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
